Manny Lawson signs with Bills

Posted by Josh Alper on March 13, 2013, 11:08 AM EDT

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The Bills dropped a veteran linebacker when they cut Nick Barnett last month and they’ve added one on the second day of free agency.

Linebacker Manny Lawson was the first free agent to visit the Bills and he won’t be leaving after signing a contract with the team on Wednesday. The team announced the signing and there will be a press conference later in the day to introduce Lawson.

“The last 24 hours have been a blast. Just talking to the guys and getting a feel for the organization,” Lawson said, via the team’s website. “I’m happy to be here and I expect a lot of things. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun. I think we’re going to put a show on for the fans out here in Buffalo. I’m just ready to kick the season off.”

Lawson saw his playing time drop with the Bengals last season, but still made 10 starts and recorded 39 tackles. Lawson’s never been an elite pass rusher, 18 sacks in seven years with the Bengals and 49ers, but he’s been solid in other areas and should push for a starting gig in Buffalo this offseason.

If that opportunity wasn’t enough, Lawson will also get to play with college teammate Mario Williams. Both players were selected in the first round of the 2006 draft and will be reunited for their eighth NFL season.

Bills will sign any former #1 round Defensive players they can. Yet the best player on that defense was an old Nick Barnett. Why not sign more veterans? Harrison would have been perfect. For some reason I always want this team to be good. Makes no sense as a Steeler fan. Hope they get Nassib, he is good.

Been a big fan since he was drafted. Never lived up to his potential as a pass rusher, but exceeded expectation is coverage, sealing the edge, running sideline-to-sideline, and wrapping up. He’s a nice complimentary piece to any defense.

Stand-up dude, too.

flavordave says:Mar 13, 2013 11:40 AM

I’m happy to see Manny get a job. The Eagles wouldn’t even give him an appointment. They are clearly stacked at that position

Bills will sign any former #1 round Defensive players they can. Yet the best player on that defense was an old Nick Barnett. Why not sign more veterans? Harrison would have been perfect. For some reason I always want this team to be good. Makes no sense as a Steeler fan. Hope they get Nassib, he is good.
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The fact that you say Nick Barnett was the best player on that D shows that you are indeed ‘just a fan.’ Obviously Jairus Byrd, Kyle Williams, Stephon Gilmore (eventually) and yes, Mario Williams, were all better players than Barnett. So, it would pay to at least do your homework if you feel the need to cast stones.

ccjcsr says:Mar 13, 2013 11:59 AM

Good signing for the Bills, but a former first rounder of the 49ers that never played up to his draft spot.

Lawson’s production on the field has always been odd. With those long arms and 6-6 frame playing on the edge, he should have been a natural pass rusher and racked up the sacks. But in SF it never happened; he was a better player down the field in pass coverage vs. tight ends. We didn’t resign him and he he did the same stuff in Cincy. Always been a great interview. Great guy. Seems to have a bad sense of timing related to winning. Left SF before Harbaugh showed up and now he takes a deal in Buff with a new coach and no great answers at QB. He’s already made some coin as a first round pick. Now it should be about trying to get to a Super Bowl ASAP before his skills decline. Probably could have hooked up with a team on a cap-friendly deal that has a better chance of winning right away like Baltimore, who have some space now with their roster purging yesterday.

wvujess20 says:
Mar 13, 2013 11:51 AM
I’m just glad buddy nix decided to stop hitting the snooze button and actually got out of bed to realize it was the start of free agency! Just wish it would have happened before Levitre left

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No he didn’t; Doug Whaley probably made this signing while Nix was still napping!